Super Kid: Alyssa Zeigler, 16, junior Marysville-Pilchuck High School

A wish come true: While a freshman, received a gift from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Chose to meet NASCAR racer Kasey Kahne. Flew to Southern California with her family to watch races, get autographs and visit Universal Studios. Make-A-Wish paid the bill.

Conversing with Kahne: “He was really nice. He talked with my whole family and he was talking to us about Marysville because he’s from Enumclaw. We were talking about the Super Bowl. It was fun.”

Spreading the word: Enjoys raising awareness of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Talked about the foundation on 100.7 the Wolf country radio station. To promote the foundation, rode in “a really old car” as the president’s marshal of the Strawberry Festival Parade in Marysville.

Life changing wish: “It changed my outlook on life and it made me realize that what I have isn’t as bad as I could have. It made me realize it could be worse.”

In remission: Has genetic colon cancer, but is in remission. Dad and 13-year-old brother, both named Michael, have it, too. Brother received an Xbox 360 and a big screen TV through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Family time: Mom, Michelle, both Michaels, Alyssa, and sister Amanda, 11, love hanging out together. Watch NASCAR races and other sports as a family and go on family outings. Grandparents also live with family.

On being the oldest: “It’s cool because they look up to me and they want to be like me.”

Sports fan: Enjoys playing sports. Is co-captain of Tomahawk C-squad softball team. Plays third and first bases.

Favorite ballplayer: Retired Seattle Mariners player Edgar Martinez. “There are athletes that like to act out when they’re in public. He just seemed really humble. I also like how he hit.”

In the stands: Usually goes to Mariners games with her dad and her grandpa for her birthday.

Class schedule: Is taking Advanced Placement language and composition, chemistry, college algebra, Spanish III, strength and conditioning, and U.S. history.

Looking ahead: Plans to attend college in Washington and study public advocacy and medicine. Wants to speak for a medical organization. “It makes me feel better to help people.”

Role models: Looks up to her family; hockey player Mario Lemieux, who had Hodgkin’s disease and started a foundation to raise money for research; and friend Sarah Zellweger, who supported Alyssa through her illness.

Favorite food: Hawaiian or taco pizza.

Helping hand: Volunteers at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marysville during vacation bible school week as a teacher’s aide. Also baby-sits at church in the nursery and volunteers at Cascade Elementary School in Marysville.

Enjoys hometown: Has lived in Marysville her whole life. “I like it. I like to see how it’s changed since I was little. We didn’t have the outlet mall and now we have stuff to do. Before we had to leave to go shopping.”

Know a super kid? Call us at 425-339-3036 or e-mail schoolfyi@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Ian Saltzman
Everett Public Schools superintendent wins state award

A group of school administrators named Ian Saltzman as a top educational leader.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.